Legendary reforming black metal giants Emperor have been announced as the first confirmed headliners for Bloodstock Open Air festival, 2014. The buzz in the arena at Catton Hall was electric on Saturday night as the hordes descended upon the main stage, both to await headliners Lamb of God and the promised announcement, and roars of delight erupted amongst the masses as the infamous ‘E’ shield logo and a promise of the ‘hordes’ returning flashed upon the screens.

Emperor, who have recently revealed their reformation in order to coincide with Wacken Open Air’s 25th anniversary celebrations, last played British shores in 2006, though Ihsahn brought his progressive-tinged solo project to Bloodstock in 2011. Their headlining performance will surely be a roaring success, and the BOA team’s coup of booking them seems like a gift to the throngs of dedicated metalheads who descend upon Derby each summer. Conversely, however, it seems that the increasing quality of acts booked have pushed ticked prices skyward, with 2014 Early Bird tickets retailing at over £120, already £20 up from last year. Even so, many would say with yet another gigantic name on offer, Bloodstock are proving their reputation as the UK’s best metal festival.